James Hansen, head of NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies, and his wife, Anniek, wrote a letter in late December to President-elect Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle.  They wrote the letter as fellow parents, "concerned about the Earth that will be inherited by our children, grandchildren, and those yet to be born".

Hansen, of course, is the famous climatologist who has been warning us about climate change since 1981.  In the letter to the Obamas, which was published in the Guardian, they talked about their concerns about the failure of policies employed by the most sincere of nations, Kyoto Protocol-type policies which, "could waste another decade, locking in disastrous consequences for our planet and humanity".  They say, "There is a profound disconnect between actions that policy circles are considering and what the science demands for preservation of the planet."  They reiterate that we on the planet must reduce greenhouse gases below present amounts to preserve nature and humanity.  They say it is still feasible to avert climate disasters if "policies are consistent with what science indicates to be required".  They make three recommendations:

(1) Put a moratorium on the use of coal and phase out coal plants that do not capture and store CO2. "Coal emissions must be phased out rapidly. Yes, it is a great challenge, but one with enormous side benefits. Coal is responsible for as much atmospheric carbon dioxide as the other fossil fuels combined. . . . if coal emissions are phased out promptly, a range of actions including improved agricultural and forestry practices could bring the level of atmospheric carbon dioxide back down, out of the dangerous range.  Continued construction of coal=fired power plants will raise atmospheric carbon dioxide to about 500 ppm, far above the 350 that is considered safe for the planet.  Each coal-powered plant that operates for 50 years is responsible for the extinction of about 400 species.

(2) Raise price on carbon emissions.  "A rising price on carbon emissions is the essential underlying support needed to make all other climate policies work. . . .  A rising carbon price is the one practical way to obtain compliance with codes designed to increase energy efficiency. . . . The public's near-term, mid-term, and long-term lifestyle choices will be affected by knowledge that the carbon tax rate will be rising."  And, here's how the Hansens suggests you get the medicine down:  "The public will support the tax if it is returned to them, equal shares on a per capita basis (half shares for children up to a maximum of two child-shares per family), deposited monthly in bank accounts. . . . A carbon tax is honest, clear and effective. It will increase energy prices, but low and middle income people, especially, will find ways to reduce carbon emissions so as to come out ahead. The rate of infrastructure replacement, thus economic activity, can be modulated by how fast the carbon tax rate increases. Effects will permeate society. Food requiring lots of carbon emissions to produce and transport will become more expensive and vice versa, encouraging support of nearby farms as opposed to imports from half way around the world.

(3) Get going on R&D on 4th generation nuclear power (with international cooperation).  The Hansens suggest that energy efficiency, renewable energies, and a "smart grid" deserve first priority in our effort to reduce carbon emissions. But, if that doesn't prove to be enough, we don't want to be in the position of having to use coal.  "4th generation nuclear power (4th GNP) and coal-fired power plants with carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) at present are the best candidates to provide large baseload nearly carbon-free power (in case renewable energies cannot do the entire job)."  Speed up the research and implementation of 4th GNP and use improves 3rd generation light water reactors in the meantime.  Be vigilant of course about the storage.

In writing this I came across a Columbia University site, where Hansen is an adjunct professor, that has an archive of all of Hansen's writing for those who want more.